At Whitecross we support the children to learn and care about environmental issues and support them to make a positive change in the environment around them. The Eco-Schools programme provides an ideal way for fostering environmental awareness in the entire school in a way that links too many curriculum subjects. The aim of the Eco-Schools programme is to educate and empower young people to make positive decisions and become change makers for an environmentally sustainable world.

It is a great way to make sustainable development part of the life and ethos at Whitecross Nursery School. Eco-Schools has an award scheme that encourages everyone in the school - and its community - to get involved in making the school environment better.

Progressing through the awards - bronze, silver and green flag - will help Whitecross Nursery School progress and there are nine themes that we can choose to focus on. Each theme is unique and can be tailored to a school's needs and priorities.

After our environmental review undertaken by the Eco Committee we have initially targeted:

• Biodiversity
• Waste

Derbyshire wildlife trust has developed our wildlife garden area, we often take children on ‘bug hunts’ in our garden developing their habitat knowledge. Some children have just created a compost area, we look forward to using the compost to grow our own vegetables.

In terms of waste we are learning to use both sides of a paper, recycle paper, card and plastics and a greater emphasis on ‘mend and repair’ to reverse the throw away attitudes of modern living.

We have completed a successful ‘bags 2 school’ fund raiser which raised £46 and will be ploughed back into future Eco school projects.

We have achieved the silver award at Whitecross and are currently working towards the Green Flag award.

The Eco Committee meets once every half term and is made up of:

• Mr Dunnicliffe (Teaching staff)
• Mrs Bannister (Teaching staff)
• Mrs Wainwright/Mr Wainwright (Parents)

For up-to-date information regarding Eco Schools at Whitecross please see our notice board in the main entrance hall.

Please click on the photograph below to view the gallery.